Remotely controlled self-propelled toy



June 3, WM. F p, SCHUR 2,244,528

REMOTELY CONTROLLED SELF-PROPELLED TOY Filed Sept. 4, 1940 2Sheets-Sheet 1 June 3, 1941. v .F P, SCHUH 2,244,523

REMOTELY CONTROLLED SELF-PROPELLED TOY Filed s'ept. 4, 1940 2sheets-sheet 2 Y V Y Patented June 3, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE y2,244,521; aEMo'rELy coN'rnoLn SELF-PROPELLED Claims.

This invention relates to remotely controlled self-propelled toys andits principal object is to provide a toy that is amusing, entertainingand interesting to children.

Another object is to provide an electric motor propelled vehicle withremote control means whereby its direction of travel can be controlledfrom a remote place.

Another object is to provide a remotely controlled self-propelled toy,of simple and comparatively inexpensive construction..

Another object is to provide a toy having electric motor operatedpropelling means and a remote control therefor, having an extension cordand plug which may `be plugged into a wall socket so as to place the toyin service.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the course of .thisspecification and with said objects and advantages in view, thisinvention consists in the several novel features hereinafter fullydescribed and claimed.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a remotely controlled self propelled toy,embodying one form of the invention, with certain electric conductorspartly broken away.

Fig. 2 is a plan of the self propelled element thereof with certain'electric conductors shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the body of theself-propelled element seen in Figs. 1 and 2, with the motors and otherinternal parts shown in side elevation.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a. portable switch unit, looking frombelow, with the cover of the casing thereof removed and part of thewiring yomitted for the sake of clearness.

Fig. 5 is a. vertical cross section taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 4, butshowing the switch unit in upright position.

Fig. 6 is a detail side elevation of certain members of the switch seenin Fig. 5, and

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view ofY the electric circuits employed forcontrolling the operation of the toy. l

Referring to said drawings, which are merely illustrative of oneembodiment of the invention, the reference character Ill designates aselfpropelled vehicle here shown in the form of a' miniature tank,comprising a hollow body II, driving wheels I2, I3 and idler wheels I4,one driving wheel and a set of idler wheels being disposed on each sideof the body, and having a traction belt or endless track I5 trainedtherearound. Desirably a miniature turret I6 rises from the body, fromwhich protrudes the muzzle of a miniature cannon Il or other ordnance.Obviously the self propelled vehicle may take various forms as desired,simulating various kinds of vehicles. The body II is preferably composedof light gauge sheet metal, providing a top, bottom, sides and ends.

The idler wheels are journaled on iixed shafts I8, Isa, which projectbeyond the sides of the body, but the driving wheels I2, I3 are rigidlymounted on shafts I9, 20, each mounted in and driven Iby a reversingelectric motor 2I or 22, which is mounted on a frame comprising two bars23 within the body II and bolted or otherwise secured to a cross bar23a, which is fastened to two bars 23h, carried by the shafts I8a. Theshafts I8 are secured to the side walls of the motors. There is onemotor and its driving wheel at each end of the frame, with the drivingwheels thereof disposed on the twosides of the body, whereby when bothmotors are rotating the driving wheels inone direction, the vehicle isdriven forwards, and when the direction of rotation of the drivingwheels is reversed, the vehicle is driven backwards. The direction ofrotation of either motor and its driving wheel may be reversed, wherebythe toy is caused to turn around, and by stopping the operation of onemotor, the toy may be caused to travel along a curved line. 'Desirablyeach motor embodies speed reducing means for its drive shaft.

For controlling the direction of rotation of each motor from a remoteplace a portable electric switch unit 24 has been provided, which isconnected to the motors of the vehicle by ilexible electric conductorsdesignated generally by 25, of suitable length as will be presentlydescribed.

The electric switch unit is desirably mounted in a casing or othercontainer 26 (see Figs. 4 and 5) having a lid 2l removably secured on anopen side thereof. Secured at one end of-the easing yis a main electricswitch 28 interposed in one line 29 of an extension cord 30 of suitablelength, having a plug 3| on its free end, which may be plugged into anordinary wall socket (not shown) for putting the toy into service.

Secured Within the casing 2B at its other end are two electric switches,32, 33, each for controlling the circuits to a motor 2I or 22. Forconvenience in illustrating the invention the electric switches 32, 33are shown as of .the double throw, double pole type of switch, havingshifting or sliding contacts 34a, 34h, 35a, 3517, se-

cured in slides, 34. 35. formed of non-conducting material and eachhaving a button 34o or 35e which protrudes through a wall in the casingwhereby it may be readily manipulated.

Each switch 32 or 33 (see Fig. 7) has six fixed poles or contacts, 36,31, 38, 38, 40, 4|, arranged in pairs and mounted in a base 42a which isformed of non-conducting material. In one position of the slidingcontacts 34, 35 of each` The contacts 38, 4| of each switch 32 or 33 areconnected by a conductor 42, and contacts 3l, 40 thereof are connectedby a conductor 43, thereby providing a cross over from contact 38 to 4|,and a cross over from 3l to 48 in each switch. Connectlng the contacts38, 3l of each switch with the motor, 2| or 22, it controls, areconductors 4t, 45, and 44a, 45a, the conductors 44, 45 running to thebrushes of motor 2|, and the conductors 44a, 45a, running to the brushesof motor 22.

From the contact 38 of each switch 32 or 33 a conductor i5 or 46a runsto the iield of motor 2| or 22, and from the field of motor 2| aconductor 41 runs back to the Wire 29a of the extension cord 38. Fromthe eld of motor 22 a conductor 4`|c runs to conductor 4l. The otherwire 29 of the extension cord runs through the switch 22 to conductorAlla, which runs to contact 38 of switch 32. A conductor 2lb runs fromconductor 41a. to contact 38 of switch 33.

The two motors 2|, 22 are illustrated as reversed and set end to end inorder to conserve space in the body, and as a consequence forwardrotation of motor 2| drives its driving wheel i2 in the direction of thearrow thereon in Fig. 1, thereby propelling the vehicle in its forwarddirection. Inasmuch as forward rotation of motor 22 drives its drivingwheel i3 in the reverse.

direction to that of driving wheel |2, switch 331s connected with motor22 in such manner that the direction of rotation of motor 22 is reversedto rotate its driving wheel I3 in the same direction as the drivingwheel l2 so as to drive the vehicle forward, when both switches are setto drive the vehicle forward. For the purposes of illustration, switch32 is set to drive the vehicle forward, and switch 33 is set to drivethe vehicle backwards.

In accordance wlththis arrangement of motors, the conductor 45 runs fromcontact 21 of switch 32 to the upper brush of motor 2| and from thelower brush conductor 44 runs contact 36, whereas for motor 22 conductor44a runs from contact 31 of switch 33 to the lower brush of motor 22 andconductor 45a runs from the vupper brush thereof to contact 38.

For giving added attraction to the toy, it is preferred to provide anelectric vibrating sounding device 48 in the toy for imparting staccatolike sound, simulating the fire of rapid-re arms.

The sounding device 48 may be of any of the welll known commercial typesoperating on alternating current, or it may be in the nature of anelectric buzzer if desired, having an armature that strikes against astationary part. `The core of sound device 48 is connected by conductor50, through a push button 5| secured in the switch casing, to

conductor 41a and by conductor 52 to the return conductor 41.

In the operation of the toy, the extension cord plug is plugged into anelectric socket, and the switch 28 is closed. With the buttons 34c, 35eset in the position shown in full line in Fig. 1, the vehicle isdriven'iorwards, and with the buttons set in the dotted line position,the vehicle is driven backwards. With one button in full line positionand the other in dotted line position the vehicle will travel in acircle, and with one of the buttons in a neutral position, the vehiclewill travel along a long curved line.

The circuits for controlling the direction of travel of the vehicle maybe readily traced in Fig. 7 as follows: for motor 2| when propelling thevehicle forward, the circuit runs from the main line 28, through switch28 and conductor lila to contact 38 of switch 32, thence throughshifting contact 34a to contact 31, and through conductor 45 to theupper brush of motor 2|, then back from the lower brush thereof tocontact 36; through shifting contact 34o to contact 38; throughconductor 48 to the field of motor 2|, and through conductor 41 back tothe other line 29a. of the extension cord.

For motor 22, with the contacts 35a, `2517 oi' switch 33 set in the sameposition as contacts 34a, 32h of switch 32, the circuit is traced fromconductor Ma, through conductor 41h to contact 39 of switch 33, andthence through the brushes and field of motor 22 as has been describedin connection with motor 2|, except that the conductor from contact 3lruns to the lower brush of motor 22 so that its direction of rotation isreversed as has been explained.

For propelling the vehicle backwards, both switches 32, 23 are set asshown for switch 33 in Fig. '7, thereby reversing the direction of theilow of current through the brushes. For motor 22 the circuit is tracedfrom conductor Mb to contact 39 as before explained, thence throughshifting contact 35a. to contact til; through conductor 42 to conductor25a, to the upper brush of motor 22, and from the lower brush thereof toconductor 43 and to contact 4d, thence through shifting contact 35h tocontact 38, through conductor 48a to the field of motor 22 and backthrough conductor 41a to the return conductor di.

With the contacts of switch 32 set as shown in switch 35 the circuit formotor 2| is traced from conductor dla to contact 39, then throughshifting contact 38a to contact 3|, through conductor 4t2 to contact 38and through conductor 44 to the lower brush of motor 2|, and back fromthe upper brush, through conductor 45 and conductor 43 to contact 40,then through shifting contact 34b to contact 38, through conductor 4B tothe field of motor 2| and back through conductor 4l to line 29a of theextension cord. The direction of rotation of motor 2| is then reversed,thereby driving its drive wheel backwards, whereas the vdirection ofrotation of motor 22 is forward, but because of its reversed position itdrives its driving wheel backwards.

It will be understood that by shifting one button 34o or 35o forwardsand one backwards, the shifting contacts will occupy the position shownin Fig. 7 or in the opposite positions, and one motor will drive itsdrive wheel forwards and the other will drive its drive wheel backwards,thereby causing the vehicle to travel in a circle. If one shiftingcontact is set in a neutral position, then only one motor will run, andthereby propel the vehicle in a long curve.

The circuit for the sounding device Il is traced front-the conductorY41a through button Blfconl doctor so, the con of the sounding deviceand through conductor 52 back to the return conductor 41. i

By pressing the button i the circuit is closed through the coil of thesounding device, and the' armaturethereof is vibrated, causing astaccato like sound.

I claim'as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent: l

1. A remotely controlled" self-propelled toy comprising a vehicle,propelling means therefor, including two reversing electricmotorsmounted in the vehicle, two driving wheels, one` only located on eachsideof the vehicle. and each driven independently ofthe other byamotor.` idler wheels on both sides of the vehicle, and

traction belts, one ,trained around each ,driving wheel and itsassociated idler wheels, a-remotely located portable switch casing, twodou-ble throw reversing switches mounted in said casing. two

sets of iiexihle conductors, each connecting contacts of one switch witha motor `whereby both motors are run forwards or backwards or eithermotor is run in a direction reversely with respect to the other inaccordance with the setting of the switches, and an extension cordconnected to contacts of both switches.

' wheels, a remotely located portable switch unit comprising two doublethrow, double pole electric reversing switches, and electric conductorsfor each motor, connecting poles of each switch with the brushes andfield of the associated motor, whereby both motors may be forwards orbackwards, or may run'in reverse directions with respect to each other,in accordance with the position of the movable contacts of the switch',a main line connected to a pole of each switch `and a return line fromthe field of each motor.

3. A remotely controlled selffpropelled toy comprising a body. tworeversing electric motors therein, one at each end, a frame supportingsaid motors, shafts mounted in said frame.

coaxial alignment with one of the last mentioned idler wheels. driveshafts for said driving wheels, each driven independently of the otherby a motor, and traction belts, 'one trained around each driving wheeland its associated idler wheels, aremotely located portable switch unitcomprising two double throw, double pole electric reversing switches.and electric conductors for each motor, connecting poles of each switchwith the brushes and field of the associated motor, whereby both motorsmay be run forwards or backwards, or in reverse directions with respectto each other, in accordance 'with the position of the movable contactsof the switch, a main line connected to a P01e of each switch and-areturn line from the field of each motor.

4. A remotely controlled self-propelled toy A comprising a vehicle, tworeversible electric site one of the driving wheels, shafts therefor,

other idler wheels and shafts therefor for supporting the vehicle, twoendless belts, each trained around a driving wheel and the idler wheelsthat are disposed on the same side of the vehicle as the driving wheel,two portable double throw double polereversing switches, one

for each motor, wiring connections between each idler .wheels on bothends of said shafts and supporting the body and motors, other idlerwheels. one located on one side of the body at one enel thereof and onelocated on the other `side of the body at the other end thereof.` shaftssecured to the bodies oi' the motor and carrying said last mentionedidler wheels, two4 drivingv wheels. each dlsposedon a sideof the body inswitch and its associated motor, whereby either motor may run in adirection reversely of the other, in accordance with the setting of theswitches, a main line running to each switch and-a returnline runningfrom each motor. and

an extension cord connected to the terminals of said main and returnlines.

5. A remotely Acontrolled self-propelled toy comprising a vehicle,propelling means therefor, including two reversing electric motorsmounted in the vehicle, two drive shafts, one driven by each motor. oneextending to one side of the ve hicle and one extending to the otherside thereof, two driving wheels. one mounted on each drive shaft,one'at one side of the vehicle and one at the other sidethereof, idlerwheels aligned with said driving wheels, two traction belts trained overthe driving wheels and idler wheels aligned therewith, separateelectrical conductors for both motors, and two remotely locatedreversing switches. one for the electrical conductors of each motor, forseparately controlling the direction of rotation of the motors, wherebyboth driving wheels may run forwards or backwards or the driving wheelsmay run in reverse directions with respect to each other in accordancewith the setting of the switches, and the vehicle f

